Pregnancy is a joyful and solemn event in the life of every woman. Therefore, throughout its entire length, the expectant mother must monitor her condition and well-being. The woman's body is designed in such a way that it can give signals in advance related to fetal pathologies. You need to understand such signals and take timely measures to eliminate them.
Particular attention should be paid to the initial trimester of pregnancy. It lasts first 12 weeks... There is no woman who could boast that during her pregnancy, she would not experience unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations.
During the growth of the fetus, significant changes occur in the woman's body and pain in the back and lower back is the first sign of this. The displacement of the pelvic organs and the stretching of the muscle ligaments cause pulling pain in the lower back.
Pain in the back and lower back is common. This is due to the fact that during the development of the fetus, the weight of the expectant mother increases and the main load falls entirely on the spinal muscles. Only in isolated cases, back pain can speak of threats of miscarriage or childbirth, ahead of schedule. If ? - read the answer to the question here.
There are quite a few reasons for the discomfort:
In addition to the first and all familiar signs of pregnancy, such as nausea or increased appetite, drowsiness, pain in the lower back is added to them.
Expressed in aching and pulling sensations, which arise from the fact that the woman's uterus quickly stretches, increases in size so that the developing fetus is comfortable and cozy. In this regard, stretching and changes in the uterine ligaments are observed, which cause various pains, covering not only the lumbar region, but also the abdomen.
According to observations, this kind of pain is mainly experienced by women giving birth for the first time. For those not having the first birth, the uterus is already stretched, ready to perform subsequent labor processes and the area of the lumbar spine is already prepared and suffers much less.
Lumbar pain in the early stages of pregnancy will be observed throughout the entire first trimester, giving the expectant mother additional discomfort.
Feelings of back pain are experienced by more than half of pregnant women and differ in intensity to varying degrees. After childbirth, a large number of women experience and already have pain symptoms.
Causes of back pain:
There are many reasons for back and lower back pain:
In addition to the above reasons, the following are also observed:
In order for back pain to make itself felt as little as possible, it is necessary to exclude provoking factors that cause discomfort:
If, with all the measures taken, the pain continues, then you should visit a gynecologist and undergo the necessary examination, having passed the tests. The causes of pain can be various diseases and it is desirable to identify them at the very beginning of pregnancy.
You can do uncomplicated physical exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, but only when there is no pain. Swimming or aerobics are very helpful.
In order for the pregnancy to proceed as calmly as possible, you need to carefully monitor your health and try to exclude some points:
The most important period of pregnancy is the first trimester. It differs in the transience of the change of events associated with the development of the fetus. It is necessary to know that physiological processes in the body can cause pulling and aching pains in the lower back and abdomen.
According to statistics, more than half of pregnant women suffer from constant pain in the lumbar region.
If preventive methods have not brought the desired result, it is necessary to start direct treatment. It should take place under the obligatory supervision of the attending physician.
The use of drugs for any purpose can cause irreparable damage to the health of not only the mother, but also the unborn baby.
To reduce pain, you can start some exercises, it is better to start with minimal loads:
As for taking medications, they should be taken under the strict supervision of a physician, especially if it is associated with kidney disease.
The methods of alternative medicine have been tested by our ancestors and bring quick relief from the pain that has arisen. However, when using them, one must not forget that they can cause allergic reactions.
Strengthening the muscles of the spine during pregnancy is primarily promoted by frequent walking... It tones the muscles of the legs, buttocks and back, eliminates the manifestation of varicose veins and the development of hemorrhoids.
In addition, you can do:
If pain occurs mainly on one side, then this may indicate kidney disease... There is swelling and painful sensations during urination. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, because this threatens renal failure.
There are times when pain speaks of signs of a threatened miscarriage. In this case, you need to be very careful: if your stomach aches badly and even a small bleeding occurs, you need to urgently visit a doctor or call an ambulance for hospitalization.
Primarily pain in the back and spine is considered normal during pregnancy... In any case, when a woman becomes pregnant, she needs to visit a gynecologist and register with him as early as possible.
Observation by a specialist and the implementation of all his recommendations will help to get away from many problems that may arise during the period of expectation of the child.
Surely every woman who has been pregnant at least once has experienced back pain, especially in the last stages of pregnancy. In general, bearing a child is a very complex process: the body and all organs of a woman are rebuilt and bear a double load. The digestive, circulatory, respiratory and excretory systems - all of them must now work not only for the woman, but also for her child. This also affected the musculoskeletal functions of the spine.
Thus, back pain during pregnancy is not extraordinary, but quite natural. Let's figure out why this happens and what to do if it hurts badly, and you can't buy traditional pain relievers for a pregnant woman.
The weight of the fetus is already quite decent, and it puts more and more pressure on her spine. Back pain can become radicular and radiate to the leg, especially when walking
The drug Nux Vomica (nux v-mica)
The drug Nux Vomica (nux v-mica) is used:
During the period of carrying a child, a woman may experience discomfort and pain in the back, both in the early and late stages of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the female body begins to rebuild due to the development of the fetus.
First of all, this affects the state of the immune system, after which the center of gravity begins to shift and changes in the level of hormones in the blood. All of these indicators are directly related to back pain during pregnancy. The increased load affects the musculoskeletal system of the pregnant woman, in particular, the spine. In such conditions, the weakest points in the body can appear. As a rule, this is the lumbar region and the lower abdomen.
The gestation period affects the hip joint and spine. After the long-awaited moment, certain hormones are released that affect the tone of muscle tissue. Because of this phenomenon, the hip-sacral joints begin to relax and prepare for the upcoming birth. As a result, the balance is disturbed and the woman has to adjust to the protrusion of the abdomen.
To understand exactly why your back hurts in the early stages and what to do to get rid of unpleasant sensations, you need to know the main reasons for their appearance. The main reasons include the following factors:
In the first trimester, the body is most vulnerable due to structural and hormonal changes, against the background of fetal development. Pain can also occur after pregnancy. This is due to the transferred childbirth, which strongly affects the muscles and joints of the hip bone and spine.
Proper sleeping positions and orthopedic bedding can significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms.
In addition to the main causes of discomfort, several diseases are distinguished, in connection with which a woman may experience unpleasant and painful sensations.
Before fertilization, a girl may have problems with the pancreas, which are exacerbated during the period of gestation. Inflammation of the pancreas is extremely rare, but it can be the very factor that causes severe discomfort. If a pregnant woman leads an incorrect lifestyle and often abuses alcohol, fatty and heavy food, then all this affects the work of this gland.
The pathology can also be affected by genetic predisposition and depressive conditions. Uncontrolled stress affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, so pancreatitis is often accompanied by flatulence and high acidity.
Inflammation of the kidneys, the main symptoms of which are aching pains on the left or right in the lower back. With the movement of the stone in the ureter, a woman may feel nagging severe pains in the lower back that cannot be overcome. The duration of pain can last for a long time, so it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. In addition to pain, there is clouding of urine and soreness during urination.
Also, in some cases, urine may be excreted along with blood impurities. In this case, the girl has an increase in body temperature.
The risk of pyelonephritis while carrying a child increases, and the treatment of this disease is carried out with the help of antibacterial agents that negatively affect the body of the woman and the fetus
The painful sensations become especially strong during pregnancy in the third semester. Almost every pregnant woman experiences discomfort and pressure. This can be caused by a lot of pressure on the spine and weakening of the abdominal muscles. Severe pains may descend to the feet. In this case, the girl will feel discomfort while walking, uncomfortable positioning or long standing on her feet.
Due to significant muscle relaxation, pain can occur in the hip joint and sacrococcygeal region. To remove unpleasant symptoms and relieve pain, the expectant mother needs to adhere to a special diet that will be rich in dairy and sour milk products, meat and fish products, beans, soybeans and herbs.
Such food is dominated by useful trace elements, in particular, calcium, which is necessary for the normal development of the fetus and the maintenance of the mother's musculoskeletal system. If it is not possible to maintain a proper diet, in which calcium predominates, then doctors recommend special medicines. The composition of such drugs does not harm the pregnant woman, but actively replenishes the calcium deficiency in the body.
These drugs include:
Together with taking medications, you need to limit physical activity and lifting weights so as not to cause more serious complications. It is also necessary to avoid sharp bends and movements that can provoke muscle stretching. In a later period, a woman needs to remember that if her back hurts during pregnancy, then it is best to consult a doctor and not decide on her own methods of treatment, as this can harm the health of the baby.
Calcium-D3 Nycomed is available in several forms, which are prescribed for various indications. For pregnant girls, the daily intake of the drug is 1500 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D3
When the doctor accurately determines the diagnosis, then the question of the treatment of pathology will become. For any indication, exercise and pain relievers are the first choice. Depending on the diagnosis, the specialist selects an individual course of therapeutic procedures.
For herniated discs and other neurological diseases, these can be gymnastic procedures that slowly stretch the back muscles and make them more elastic. During physical exercise, tissue oxygenation improves, which normalizes metabolism. All procedures must be performed under the guidance of a medical professional so as not to harm the body even more.
Orthopedic products help reduce stress on legs, feet, and other parts of the body. For pregnant women, instep supports and soft bandages are ideal. Special insoles help distribute the load evenly to reduce severe pain. And corsets and bandages support the belly of the expectant mother to reduce the strain on the back.
Drug therapy is the use of calcium preparations and pain relievers: tablets, capsules or ointments. Before taking medications, you should consult your doctor, as most medications are contraindicated in pregnant women. Among the acceptable pain-relieving ointments, the following remedies are used to eliminate pain and inflammation:
The use of these ointments is possible only after a doctor's prescription.
Traumeel ointment has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and reparative effect due to the incoming plant and mineral components
If your back hurts badly during pregnancy in the second trimester and at a later date, then it is best to contact a highly qualified specialist. This can be an obstetrician-gynecologist, vertebrologist, neurologist or gastroenterologist, depending on the cause of the symptom. A gastroenterologist specializes in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Therefore, in case of pathology with the pancreas, a woman first of all needs to contact this specialist.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination, blood and urine tests. The treatment will be carried out under the constant supervision of the attending physician so that there are no further complications. To ensure the normal functioning of the organs, a special diet and the use of drugs are prescribed. In case of inflammation and dysfunction of the genitourinary system, a woman needs to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist or an ordinary gynecologist, who will determine why her back hurts during pregnancy and how it is connected with the genitals.
To determine the diagnosis, a specialist will prescribe an ultrasound scan (ultrasound) and general urine and blood tests. After that, the doctor selects antibacterial drugs based on the patient's data. A vertebrologist and neurologist study degenerative pathologies of the spine and neurological diseases such as sciatica and herniated discs. To accurately identify the location of the inflammatory process, the doctor prescribes an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
In the case of neurological diseases, treatment involves adherence to bed rest and soft corsets that support the abdomen
Back pain during pregnancy is preventable. It is enough to pay attention to the woman's health. For this it is recommended:
Foods that are high in calcium prevent the onset of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spine.
When the lower back hurts during late pregnancy, it almost always causes anxiety in the expectant mother. Young mothers are sometimes even too excessively suspicious, and this can be understood, because we are talking about the life of their desired baby. But you need to learn to distinguish threatening pain from those that should arise for physiological reasons. This will reduce anxiety, which will improve your mood and restore calmness.
There are no women known to science who, during pregnancy, would not complain of lower back pain. This is a normal physiological process: the load on the spine of the expectant mother is growing. The body is rebuilding, mobilizing all its reserves so that a woman can bear and safely, independently give birth to a baby. Indeed, in fact, a woman's body was not created for beauty and admiration, but for bearing and feeding future offspring.
Low back pain can be natural, but it can also be a wake-up call. Therefore, in our material we will analyze in more detail when you need to stay calm, and when to immediately contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.
Experts say that most often lower back pain occurs in the fifth or seventh month of pregnancy. There is no reason to be afraid of this. In the second trimester, the baby is developing rapidly and is actively gaining weight. His physiology is not concerned with the problems of his mother's lower back. Whereas the expectant mother instinctively throws her head back and lifts her stomach forward to hold her stomach and keep the ability to move. But her spine is indifferent to the needs of pregnancy. The center of gravity changes, a strong load is added and the spine is forced to give signals about this. This is how low back pain appears in late pregnancy.
If, before pregnancy, a woman already had problems with the musculoskeletal system, then the situation will become more complicated several times. For the normal development of the musculoskeletal system, a certain level of calcium is required. But the difficulty is that there are very few people who have normal calcium. Someone eats incorrectly, someone leads an inappropriate lifestyle, and still others do not absorb calcium for certain reasons. And in pregnant women, especially in the late early and late stages, this indicator is critical. This is one of the main “building materials” and if the baby lacks it, he will pull it out of his mother.
Expectant mothers complain of lower back pain and do not even suspect how serious the calcium level in the body can be. In common parlance, this pubic articulation is called "pubis", considering it motionless. However, it may well change and acquire mobility.
In late pregnancy, when the baby begins to actively take all the calcium he needs for himself, the mother's body and her skeletal system are at risk.
A hormone such as relaxin is produced. If there is little calcium in the body, the hormone will literally "pull" it out of the mother's bones. For this reason, bones soften, and pain in the lower back and bones appears. It is the appearance of pain that can be the only sign that the body is experiencing a crisis with the level of calcium. Quite quickly, the spine itself loses calcium, the joints suffer and the chain goes further.
When the mother gives birth, the pain and discomfort may disappear, especially if she undergoes rehabilitation therapy. But the spine is extremely vindictive and without the necessary treatment, the problem will turn into serious difficulties with the musculoskeletal system.
But for a note to the expectant mother: the pubic articulation should become a little more mobile and this is the norm. This was conceived by nature to facilitate the movement of the baby along the birth canal. Signs should alert:
Pain can speak of various pathologies and be a reaction to changes in the body. Attention must be paid and shown to the leading gynecologist if late pain radiates not only to the lower back, but also to the sacrum. Additionally, such pains may be accompanied by cuts or soreness in the lower abdomen. Pain from the lower back to the groin is a dangerous sign, it may be a signal that preterm labor begins.
You need to visit your doctor and check the uterine tone. With such threats, drugs are usually prescribed to calm the activity of the uterus and reduce its contractile ability. It is also important to identify the factor that could trigger her hyperactivity. In these cases, you cannot delay, otherwise the life of both may be under serious threat. This is true for periods from 30 to 36 weeks.
At a later date, when such pain has appeared, you should not worry. The uterus is preparing for the birth of the baby according to the "schedule". The future baby itself sank low and presses with its necrotic head on the nerve endings located in the pelvis. The more the pressure rises, the more pain the mother has. It is impossible to reduce pain in the usual way; this requires some anesthesia if labor is delayed or there is a threat of complications. The pain is severe, cramping, the lower back and the entire pelvis hurt. But she immediately passes, as soon as the baby sees the light. Sometimes after that, mothers hardly notice the secondary pain from contractions when leaving the birthplace.
Lower back pain can be triggered not only by the spine itself, but also by dysfunction of internal organs. Most often, nephritis and various inflammations of the urinary system give soreness in the lower back of a shingles nature. If the mother had violations in the work of the kidneys before pregnancy, there will definitely be an exacerbation in the position. Sometimes pregnancy can cause the development of the disease, even if there has not been much progress before.
Any infection, which in normal times the immune system could destroy itself, can become a provocateur for diseases of the genitourinary system. Such "native" women cystitis, is able to develop along the ascending line and cause lower back pain in the later period. Such an infection cannot be ignored by the expectant mother.
Some gynecological diseases are also capable of developing due to such a powerful provocateur as a baby. It so happens that a cyst appears before pregnancy, but it is "cold", does not develop, and therefore the woman does not even know about it. But with the onset of pregnancy, the cyst will begin to grow and quickly, receiving nutrition from the fetus and its active hormonal background. Accordingly, pain from a heating cyst will appear by a later date. This threatens to rupture not only the cyst itself, it is also a threat to the baby.
About a quarter of women have lower back pain during pregnancy. This nuisance is associated with many provoking factors, ranging from weight gain to the presence of chronic diseases. Such a pain syndrome should be treated with the help of a specialist, and drug therapy involves the use of combined agents with a minimum number of side effects.
An impressive proportion of all women have lower back pain during pregnancy, which is associated with a high load on the spinal column and weakened abdominal muscles caused by excessive stretching. Most often, a similar pain syndrome is observed in the late trimesters, and disappears only some time after childbirth. Discomfort usually occurs during physical exertion and stressful situations such as severe hypothermia.
Unpleasant sensations are localized in the lumbar region, however, pain can also be given to the leg, provoking difficulty in walking. Low back pain during pregnancy caused by exposure to relaxin (a natural hormone) can temporarily reduce joint mobility, but is not a serious risk.
Spasmodic, pronounced pain, which is accompanied by impaired coordination and a number of other unpleasant symptoms, is a much more serious threat. Such a signal may be a harbinger of internal bleeding, requiring immediate treatment in a hospital setting.
Important! Low back pain during pregnancy can be triggered by a displaced center of gravity, when expectant mothers have to spread their shoulders and stretch their necks.
Why does lower back hurt during the different trimesters of pregnancy? In addition to the reasons listed above, back pain can be triggered by wearing high-heeled shoes, staying in the wrong posture for a long time while seated work, as well as weakened muscles. In some cases, lower back pain during pregnancy occurs due to various diseases of the musculoskeletal system that developed even before pregnancy.
Osteochondrosis, scoliosis, intervertebral hernia and many other diseases of the spinal column often develop due to uncomfortable working conditions or excessive physical exertion. If the lower back hurts in a pregnant woman, the following factors may be the reasons for this phenomenon:
Low back pain in early pregnancy can be associated with colds and infections. Those who are unlucky enough to “blow out” the lower back usually complain of unpleasant “pulling” sensations localized in the lower parts of the spinal column and radiating to the stomach. Back pain in early pregnancy may not indicate the presence of any pathology, and be a side effect of adapting the body to an increased load.
Pain causes may vary by trimester
Inflammatory process in the kidneys (pyelonephritis) is often accompanied by pain in the lower back. This disease can be recognized by such signs as: frequent urination, increased blood pressure, headache, edema and fever. Symphysiopathy is a disease that occurs due to excessive relaxation of the pubic articulation. It is accompanied by impaired coordination, while it is usually the lower spine that usually hurts and worries.
If the lower back hurts on the right during pregnancy, and the pain syndrome is aching and pulling in nature, the problem may be not only in pyelonephritis, but also in other kidney diseases. Treatment involves the use of antibacterial drugs, antispasmodics and analgesics prescribed by a competent physician based on the results of biochemical tests and a general examination. Therapy at the 5th week of pregnancy should be selected with special care so as not to harm the actively developing fetus.
If the lower back pulls in the early stages of pregnancy or is worried about the pain syndrome localized in the sacrum, you should immediately seek qualified medical help. This sign of pregnancy is a serious danger, since it significantly increases the likelihood of miscarriage and terminated pregnancy.
When pain begins to appear in women after physical exertion and pulls the stomach, you should use the following recommendations:
In the first trimester, hormonal drugs can be prescribed, including Utrozhestan and Duphaston. The dosage and duration of admission must necessarily be calculated by the attending physician. In the third trimester and later in pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe pharmaceuticals aimed at reducing the contractile activity of the uterus.
Pain syndrome, which is characterized by a certain periodicity and is similar to labor pains, usually requires the placement of the expectant mother in a hospital environment, as well as studies such as cardiography and ultrasound, followed by treatment. In the second trimester, the load on the spinal column increases significantly, which causes a shift in the center of gravity and a strong deflection of the lower back.
Important! If aching pains are accompanied by bloody discharge from the vagina, urgent medical attention is needed, since such signs can lead to termination of pregnancy.
If pain in the lumbar region is associated with an infectious disease, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. When the cause of pain is osteochondrosis, flat feet or intervertebral hernia, a sharp increase in the load can provoke an aggravation of the condition and difficulty in extending the spine.
Staphylococcus aureus, enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli can lead to inflammation and pain in the back. They are accompanied by an increase in body temperature and a change in the characteristics of urine, which becomes cloudy and different in composition from normal.
Experts recommend that women get up from the couch as smoothly and gently as possible in the position, and also avoid lifting even minor weights
Most often, the lower back hurts in late pregnancy, and the discomfort disappears completely only after childbirth. If severe pain is associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, the doctor may prescribe wearing a special prenatal bandage, which helps to cope with high loads and overcome most of the negative effects of prolonged walking.
If your back hurts or your bones ache, you should reduce the load on the spinal column by adopting the following recommendations:
Swimming is considered one of the most effective remedies for overcoming soreness in the back. Aqua aerobics can also be an excellent effective method to strengthen the lumbar region, however, before exercising, you should consult with your doctor about any contraindications. Hydromassage and exercises with fitball have a good effect.
Thanks to manual therapy, it is possible to correct vertebral displacements and other disorders with virtually no medication. If it shoots in the lower back during pregnancy, you should limit yourself to magnetic resonance imaging, since X-ray examination is contraindicated in all trimesters. In order to relieve pain syndrome, drugs with anti-inflammatory effects, special ointments, tablets and vitamins of groups B, C, D and A are often required.
Women who are forced to engage in sedentary work are advised to use breaks to perform simple sets of physiotherapy exercises. Instead of tilting your torso, for example, to pick up a fallen object from the floor, it is recommended to leave your back in an even position, changing the bend of the legs. The maximum load should fall on the lower limbs.
What to do if lower back hurts during pregnancy? To overcome the pain, analgesics with minimal side effects and other adjuvants are usually prescribed. Among the unconventional treatments, the most common are aromatherapy, homeopathy, reflexology, acupuncture, reflexology and herbal medicine.
If the lower back pulls during pregnancy and is worried about the pain syndrome, it is necessary to make the diet as saturated as possible, it must necessarily contain various vitamins and minerals. Particular emphasis should be placed on the following foods:
Can the lower back hurt with a lack of calcium in the body of the expectant mother? Scientists were able to establish that the deficiency of this element directly affects the occurrence of such problems. Even before pregnancy, it is recommended to drink at least 1-2 glasses of cow's or goat's milk, as well as eat a portion of cottage cheese or natural cheese. To improve the absorption of calcium, it is worth spending time in the fresh air every day.
In case of problems with the lower back, spend less time at the computer, do not cross your legs and, if possible, change your body position every 10-15 minutes
In addition, the following recipes and recommendations are useful for pregnant women:
Signs of magnesium deficiency: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and cramps in the lower extremities (mainly in the calves or feet).
Preventive measures include: timely therapy of diseases of the spinal column, protrusion and internal organs. Physical overload, sudden movements, bends and jerks must be avoided. Thanks to an active lifestyle before pregnancy, it is possible to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen, thus preventing pain in the lumbar region. High-heeled shoes are strongly recommended to be discarded.